Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-16

WIN deDght: nope was 0aWDing once more.
'These foreigners never can drive" said he with
true British pride.
81 don't believe he can ride either,p she con-
tnued, "but he has entered horse for Steeple-
chase and says he is going to try his luck" Mr..
AtterOury s feelings were too deep for words but
he prayed that the Marquis might break his neck
The steeplechase came on. The Marquis donned
a gorgeous Jacket, and mounted a capering black
horse. Mr.. Atterbury thought he looked pale,
almost despaired OF seeing the Frenchman come
TO grief. However, he conducted the widow to a
spot which commanded an excellent view of the
first jump. and hoped for the worst. The preliIni-
nary canter was over, and the competitors Started.
The black horse evtnced disposition to bolt, and
the Marquis tugged at his reins with the energy
OF desperation. They neared the Jump hurdle
about two feet six in height, Mr.. Atterbury'S
heart was in his mouth and the Marquis looked as
IL he dld not ike his position. But the black horse
meant business; he rushed at the hurdle cleared
1t by couple OF feet, pecked," as he landed and
the Marquis shot clear over the animals head,
and allghted In soft and muddy spot on his back
Good gracious!" cried the widow with pretty
little shrek, Il hope he is not killed." Her COM
paniOn said nothing. He was glaring at the pros
trate marquis with hungry eagerneSs A couple OF
soldiers rushed up and restored the fallen hero
perpendicular position. lie was evidently not
absence OF mere bodily injuries His face was
white with Jury, except for few patches OF mud,
which by no means added to his beauty. His
lovely jacket was in pitiable condition, and his
cap was crushed into a shapeless mass. As he
chuckle or triumph. The marquis heard the 1eer,
and transfixed the solicitor with q murderouS
glare which caused a shiver TO run down that
worthy'S back. But the widows favor atOned for
everything, and Mr. Atterbury felt that SO long
he basked in her smiles he could defy dozen mar
quioes.
That evening there was an unusually elaborate
pail at the Casino. The special nature OF the Oc
caSlon was made manifest by the fact that the
price OF admission Was doubled. the room deco
rated with q few decayed-looking plants, and an
extra instrument OF torture added to the band.
Mr.. Atteroury felt that that night he must take
the decisive step in his wOOing. Mrs. HigginShaw
hau been charmingly gracious; she had allowed
nm toremain near her until the races were over;
ne had sat beside her In the breack coming home,
Burton dlScreetly taking the seat beyond; he had
even squeezed her hand without any positive dis
couragement. SOhe attired himself with unusual
care, and drank great deal OF champagne at
dinner At the ball every thing went well. Mrs
Hlgginshaw wore bewtching costume, greeted
him most cordially, and gave him more dances
than he dared To hope for. The Marquis was there,
ling horribly, and seeming as II he, TOO, had
dlned somewhat too We'll. Ii was about the middle
Oh the evening: Mr. AtterbuTy was plotting Mrs.
HigglnShaW through a waltz, wondering II he
dared TO propose in the verandah, when the
couple suddenly ran up against some one with
tremendous crash. IL was the Marquis and a
muscular Scotch girl with whom he was dancing.
Mr.. Atternury gaSped, glared at his rival and re-
Sumed but scarcely had he taken half dozen
turns more before the same incident was repeated.
The affrOnJ WAS evidently intentional, and Mr..
Atterbury strutted out of the room. boiling with
Indignation.
''Wnat rufllan that man Isl" said Mrs. Higgn-
shaw. "See how he has bruised my arm" And
the enamOred solicitor inspected a microscopic
mark upon the widows lovely skin, and felt as il
he could strangle De Roulz on the spot. Mr.. After
bury drank several more glasses OF champagne at
the buffet, and presently returned 20 the fray.
The Marquis carrOmed against him once more.
Did You do that on purpose sr?" he CRIED
casting prudence TO the winds.
.'What IL / did, Sare?" responded the French
man, with a vicious grin.
you're beastly cad, sir; that's ALL"
"Do not make disturbance here" said De
ROulz, significantly; 'yOu sail hear OF me again.
And he left the ballroom. The rest of the evening
did not seem quite so delightful to Mr. Atterbury
He felt an unpleasant foreboding OF the conse-
quences OF his audacty, which no amount OF
Champagne could Danish; and the widow too had
grown curfOusly silent and preoccupied. More
over, the solicitor began to feel that he had drunk
TOO much wine; the room spun round him when
The dance was finished he took an affectionate
leave of Mrs. Higginshaw and went off to bed
look alter her, my boy" he whispered to Tom
Burton.
Il will, sir" said Tom fervently; "and I'll see
you In the morning. The next morning Mr. After
bury awOke feeling excessively sick and with the
dismal forebOding Intensified hundredfold. Pres
emily there was knock at his door, and the hotel
boots entered.
"What'S the matter?" cried Mr., Atterbury iump.
ing up in alarm.
1.-TWO gentlemen desire to see monsieur" replied
the boots.
so Lord." groaned the unhappy man, sI'll be
down directly" And he got up and huddled on
his clothes with shaking fingers. Two officers In
uniform were seated in his private room. As Mr.
Atterbury entered they rose and bowed pro-
foundry.
1--WE have come, monsieur" said one in very bad
friend"
What do you mean?" said Mr.. Atterbury, his
teeth chatteriIg In his head.
II am the Captaine Girard, and my friend here
Is the Lieutenant Boirot; we are ten,oins Of the
part OF the Marquis de ROulz. VIII you have the
goodness TO inform US where we can find your
friendS?"
u haven't got any friends, stammered the So
licitOr. Il don't know what you mean. won't
hight. I'll see you bowed first!" Fortunately
neither OF the Frenchmen understood what MI
Atterbury meant; They rose to go.
V add rpS ~ hpr satd rhaT
card on the table. II SAIL hear from your friend.
Good-morning, monsieur" Mr. Atterbury sank
Scarcely had the door closed behind his tormen-
tors when Tom Burton entered the room.
"Why, what's the matter? You look ILL.,
"TOm, said Mr.. Atterbury apprehensively 'shut
the door. Come here. That internal MARQUIS
wants me to fight him. When does the boat
start?"
'.Why, you don't mean that you're going to
bolt?"
~ am, though"
"Ana leave Mrs. Higginshaw?" Mr.. Atterbury
81 won't night that ruffian for twenty Mrs. Hig
g1nshaws. Why he'd shoot me through the head
or spit me like lark
well It's very awkward. I've brought Colonel
Comm round TO arrange the business"
Colonel Coffin be hanged,' screamed Mr. After
Dury. u m not going to be murdered to please
him. why" At that moment the door Opened.
and the gallant Colonel himself appeared lie was
big man, with hOarSe voice. and very bristly
gray hair. He had long mustache and a Zero
cious Imperial, and spoke with very strong Irish
accent.
Mr.. Atterbury knew him slightly, and was aware
that he had the reputation OF a practical dueliSt
and manager OF affairs OF honor.
Good morning, Sor,' he began; 'sme friend here
was long tonne, so thought I'd come in and see
We meSelf And which is 1t to be- Misther After
bury, pistols or Swordse"
"Nelther, sir; neither! I am a solicitor and
don't fight duelS. Ir hear anything more OF this
In-Ill-have you all bound over to keep the
peace."
"Kape the peace, is IT." said the Colonel, tug
ging his mu5tache grimly, "but We must fight Ye
wouldn't disgrace the English colony, would we
nOw?"
''What do care for the English colony? lam
going back to Southampton" and Mr. Atterbury
made move for the door,
''Sor," circulated the Colonel putting his back
against IL, 'Ot will not allow We to DISGRACE your
counthree! IL ye Will not meet this blaigiard OF
Will night him meself-buJ ON horseWhip We
nrSt" And the Colonel placed a chair beside the
door. sat down in II. and folded his arms across
us there no law In this awful country?" cried
Mr.. Atterbury in state OF intense perturbation:
must a respectable man take his chance OF being
shot or brutally beaten?p
Precisely" remarked the Colonel: eyed better
20 out scr: lt's nothin when you're used to it. The
last tonne Oh had quarrel with one OF these
ginry, oedad, wanted TO put him up at fiye
PAGES, but he wouldn't come out at ALL"
by Joye," suddenly interposed Tom, ssuppose
you say you Won't fight except with pistols at
four PAGES! III bet a monkey to a mousetrap that
De Roulz Will funk."
Its right We are, Ohm thinking" said the Col
we can try IT."
"Goof God I'm not potno IN 1obt Of ro,r